FD's for friend's birthday

Over the weekend, we hit Famous Dave's for our friend's 21st birthday the whole gang had a great time and the food was, of course, incredible.

We had Famous John as our server. He's our favorite. Thanks Famous John for putting up with us.

The best part? Leftover ribs and Wilbur Beans for today's lunch!

Been a while

I haven't posted anything in a while because we have been moving and, really, haven't had much to post about. Hopefully I will be receiving my prize for my 3rd place tie in the Famous Fans competition and be hitting up Famous Dave's this Labor Day Weekend!

Great Famous Dave's dinner

Well, it was odd not having a Famous Fans challenge this week but it worked out well as my wife and I spent all weekend moving...well, just about all weekend. We did take a break on Friday night to catch dinner at Famous Dave's with some friends.

We got the Famous Feast. So much food. So stinkin' good! Man, I love that place!

The results are in

Jay was the winner of the Famous Fans contest, Sean took 2nd and Lina and I tied for 3rd.

First let me say Congratulations to Jay, Sean and Linda!!! Great job all of you!

As I am a very competitive person I'm not thrilled about the end results. I wish I would have been able to get more of my friends to actually participate as I feel that would have helped me a great deal.

Oh well, that's life. Again, Congrats to Jay, Sean and Linda.

Ok so TODAY'S the day

Today we are supposed to find out who won the Famous Dave's Famous Fans contest. I'm really sad that this whole thing is over. It's been so much fun and gave me a built-in excuse to go to FD's...not that I needed one, of course!

One meal

I was thinking about this the other day. If I had to choose one meal for my "final meal" what would it be? It didn't take long at all to realize the Famous Feast is the perfect "final meal" I mean you get the best of everything with the Beef Brisket, Chopped Pork, Ribs and BBQ chicken pretty much cover all of your meat bases. Throw in the cole slaw and of course, there's nothing better than Famous Dave's Corn on the Cob, so I've got my veggies covered (yes I know it's technically a starch but just go with me on this one), then you have cornbread and Famous Fries so my starches are in there too...now for the fruit...Drunken Apples. Top it off with a sweet tea and it's the perfect meal. Now what about Dairy you say? Well that's what the Dixie Minis are for, of course.

And before you read this thinking "I thought the Famous Dave's contest was over? Why is he still writing about their food like that?" The truth is, I actually DID think about this whole scenario over the weekend. We tried to make it to FD's so I could dive into the Feast but since we are currently in the process of moving, things have been a little busy.

Or not...

Got an email this evening that the decision hasn't been made yet and will be postponed til Tuesday...I'll keep ya posted

Today's the day

Today we find out who won the Famous Dave's Famous Fans contest. I'm really excited to finally find out, this week just seemed to drag on forever!

Even though the contest is over, I plan on keeping this blog going chronicling my visits to Famous Dave as I bring more new people, try new menu items, or just have an overall wonderful experience as always!

Besides I feel like I have a lot more ideas for the Famous Dave's folks to help make Famous Dave's even better. For example, maybe when people sign up for the P.I.G. membership they can also sign up for Famous Dave's Famous Facts and once a month/week/day, whatever, they will be emailed a fact about Food, BBQ, Dave, Their Locations, etc. Something like "Even though it has only been open for a couple years, the Fort Myers Famous Dave's is #4 in total sales" or "In the Carolinas, their BBQ sauce has a vinegar base, unlike Kansas City which has the tomato sauce base...and in Memphis, they do a dry rub with no sauce" or something like that. Maybe there can even be a trivia contest for the fans and the winner each month/week, etc gets a free meal at FD's...just one idea I have. I've got some more and I'll put 'em up here as they hit me.

Well, good luck to all the other Famous Fans, if they had half as much fun as I did during this whole thing, they had a blast!

Thanks again to Famous Dave's and JRP for putting this whole thing on! My friends and family that helped out with this contest and I all had a great time and are very grateful for the opportunity!

Won the last Challenge

YEAH!!! I was fortunate enough to win challenge #10 this week! Now it comes down to the judges to see who wins the whole thing. Good luck everyone!

Oh I can't believe I forgot!

I'm in the process of moving this week so things have been pretty hectic around the house lately but I still can't believe I forgot to mention the gift basket! The other day I get home and there is a box addressed to me by my front door. I open it up and it's a friggin' sweet gift basket with a hat, hoodie, sweatpants, and my favorite, a genuine Famous Dave's Famous Fan APRON! Perfect for cookin' ribs, which is exactly what I used it for on Sunday. There was also a letter from Famous Dave thanking me for my hard work and all of our ideas and it was signed by him. The only thing that would have made it better would have been another gift card...the only thing better than Famous Dave's 'Que is FREE Famous Dave's 'Que!!!

Huge thanks to the Famous Dave's folks for that! Love it!

Famous Summer is just about over

Wow, I can't believe I've already submitted my last challenge entry for the Famous Dave's Famous Fans contest (See the blog Post below this rambling). It seems like just yesterday that I was first contacted about it, when Amanda asked me the silliest question I've ever heard "Would you be interested in the contest?" Oh hecks yeah! I was stoked, and I gotta tell you, it has been one of the most fun things I've done.

Jay, Sean and the other Famous Fans pushed me to do my best each week, because I knew they were going to bring their A-game EVERYTIME! So thanks for that guys. I know it sounds corny and hokey but I wish we could all win this thing. I never realized there were other Famous Dave's fans as hooked as I am! And I'm thrilled to be in such company as you guys. If you ever find yourselves in SW Florida, drop me an email and we'll grab lunch at Famous Dave's...of course if you win this thing, lunch is on you ;-)

The only things I regret with this contest are followers. I didn't have a ton of followers on my blog and Twitter feed. I wish I could have gotten more people to follow along and even submit ideas of their own! But I did make sure everyone knew about it and I believe a good number of them signed up for the P.I.G. membership. And why not? It's a great thing to do! I recently got a coupon for $5 off of my meal! Hard to top that.

All in all, I just want to thank JRP and Famous Dave's for the opportunity and now I have this great blog to chronicle all of my Famous Dave's experiences from now on. So even though the contest may be over, feel free to check back on here from time to time to read about our Famous Dave's meals and adventures!

Final Challenge

Well, this is the final Challenge of the Famous Dave's Famous Fans competition. This challenge is to explain why I feel I am the most Famous Fan.

My infatuation with Famous Dave's started years ago when my buddy Pav, who was a student at University of Wisconsin, invited me and a couple other friends up to Madison to play some disc golf and grab lunch at Famous Dave's. The disc golf was fun, but the Famous Dave's was a religious experience. From that moment on, I would be obsessed with Famous Dave's amazing 'Que.

Since that time years ago, Famous Dave's has been a huge part of just about every big moment of my life. A couple months after my wife and I got married, we spent her birthday weekend at a spa in the Wisconsin Dells. During that trip we hit 3 different Famous Dave's. I am pretty sure I have the best wife EVER! How many other wives want to go to a variety of Famous Dave's for her birthday?

Later that year, when my wife and I decided to move to Florida, my friends took me out for a last Guys Night...but where oh where would we go? Oh yeah Famous Dave's! I ate so much of the Famous Feast, I couldn't sit back down in the car. In the middle of February, IN WISCONSIN, I had to stand outside of the car for a good 10-15 minutes until I felt comfortable enough to sit back down again and I smiled the entire time...I also nearly froze to death, but it was SO worth it!

We've been back to WI to visit a few times and every time we go, we stop at Famous Dave's in Pleasant Prairie at least once with the old gang!

Well, one day on the way to work here in Fort Myers, FL. I saw a sign outside of a closed down Chinese restaurant that had that famous picture of Wilbur and the sign said COMING SOON! I couldn't have been happier! I called, emailed and text EVERYONE I knew about the great news. I called the restaurant about once a month or so to find out when it would be open. My wife and I made sure we were there opening day, and the food was just as amazing as I remembered it being in Wisconsin.

As I spoke to all of my friends down here, I realized just how few of them have ever eaten at Famous Dave's. I made it my mission to enlighten my friends. And if that meant that I had to take each of them to Famous Dave's (Separately, of course! That way I can eat there more often!) then that's what I would do, and I did. My favorite comments are the people who say "I don't even like BBQ but that was amazing!" Since the Fort Myers Famous Dave's has opened I have taken dozens of friends, family and co-workers to experience the world's finest BBQ. One of my closest friends, John and his fiancee are having Famous Dave's cater their rehearsal dinner! How great is that?!?! They love everything from the Ultimate BBQ Burger to the Famous Feasts to the Rib Tips. These new Famous Dave's fans often call or text me to say "Thanks for introducing me to Famous Dave's" And then I yell at them for not inviting me ;-)

Now we look back at photos of birthday celebrations and can't tell who's birthday or what year it is because we all pick Famous Dave's for our birthday dinner!

When we brought my newborn son, Ezekiel, into Famous Dave's for his first visit, our waiter Famous John made him his very own Famous Zeke pin which he wears just about every time we go. I was able to introduce my dad to Famous Dave's and he's just as much of an addict as I am now. Thanks to one of the challenges, we were able to get a 3 generation pic of us enjoying Famous Dave's together. That's one of the memories I'll keep for a long time.

When I told all my friends and family about this Famous Fan's competition, the general consensus was "Well, that should be easy for you" And it was. I thoroughly enjoyed every challenge we were presented and I only wish I was able to reach more people to let them know about the greatness that is Famous Dave's.

Shared this week's victory

Jay and I split this week's victory! Good Job Jay!

Here's this week's challenge:
Challenge #10: You’ve had all summer to highlight Famous Dave’s - now we want to hear why YOU are the most Famous Fan.

Remember, anyone can win each week so let King Dave the Famous know why YOU are the most Famous Fan! Good Luck gang!

Famous Dave's Weekly Challenge #9

This week's challenge is: Challenge #9: Famous Dave Anderson, the founder of Famous Dave’s, is celebrating 15 Famous years of ribalicious BBQ by throwing a party complete with birthday specials (July 15-September 15). Buck-A-Bone ribs, beer specials, and on August 30th anyone with the name Dave, David or Davy eats for free! He wants you to bring your friends to the celebration. How will you get folks to come to the celebration?

Your challenge is to create an invitation to Famous Dave’s Buck-A-Bone Birthday Bash Celebrating 15 Famous Years. The invite could be a video or a traditional invitation posted as a jpg or other digital format. Please be sure to note in your invitation that these offers are for a limited time. And remember each location is unique, so always be sure to check with your local restaurant for participation. Have fun!

Well, here's the deal. I recently spoke with my local Famous Dave's manager, Fred. Unfortunately, my Famous Dave's isn't participating in the Buck-a-Bone Birthday bash. However, they do have some exciting summer deals that I created an invitation for.

The Fort Myers, FL Famous Dave's is 2nd in the nation in customer service and 4th in this great country in sales... Manager Fred and I think I may have had a hand in making it so popular since I ALWAYS let people know Famous Dave's is where it's at! I can't tell you how many people I've invited to join me for a world famous lunch or dinner...and speaking of invitations, you can imagine my surprise when a horseback messenger came to my castle the other day with this:

Photo of Family at Famous Dave's

Generally I like to make my posts humorous and fun, but this challenge struck me a different way. I often have the opportunity to not only share Famous Dave's with friends but also to introduce people who have never tried Famous Dave's. This weekend I got the opportunity to share Famous Dave's with my dad and son. The 3 generation Famous Dave's experience is one I will remember for a long time. My son Zeke got to eat his first cornbread muffin, and I'd say he's officially a Famous Dave's fan.

Famous Dave's as a Superhero

If Famous Dave's was a Superhero who would he be? Well, I thought long and hard about this one and came up with two answers.

The first would be the Human Torch. He would use his powers to perfectly cook the Beef Brisket, amazing Ribs and those awesome burgers. He's always there to light the grill or smoker. Always ready to lend a flaming hand to preparing BBQ Chicken and Hot Link Sausage. And who better to make sure the Devil Spit is the right temperature?



The second option is an original superhero. My wife and I were talking about this the other day and from our twisted minds came The Chopped Pork Crusader and his sidekick Brisket Boy. Together they travel the lands rescuing citizens from average BBQ and boring dinners. With garbage can lid shields, capes made of the famous red and white checkered basket liners and armed with Devil Spit lazers, they scour the evening looking for people who would otherwise spend their hard-earned money on lower quality barbecue.

During the day The Chopped Pork Crusader is Fame Daveson the day-shift manager for his local Famous Dave's. Brisket Boy is known as Famous John a hard working busboy who was hired by Fame Daveson to better understand the inner workings of Famous Dave's. But once their shift ends, they spend their time both out in the world, as well as on-line trying to stop people from wasting their time and money on other "BBQ".

Perhaps you were one of these people. Possibly you were stopped by The Chopped Pork Crusader and Brisket Boy before going to another establishment for dinner. Odds are pretty good you were, and you don't even know it, for The Chopped Pork Crusader and Brisket Boy don't want to interfere with your lives too much, so they often just use telepathic powers to suggest the Famous Feasts, and viola! The next thing you know you are ordering a Sweet Tea and waiting for your appetizer of Rib Tips!

Back to Back!

Woo Hoo! I won last weeks challenge about America! this weeks challenge is Challenge #7: If Famous Dave were a superhero, who would he be?

Good luck!

This week's challenge

Challenge #6: What makes Famous Dave’s all-American barbeque the perfect way to celebrate our country this 4th of July season?

What makes Famous Dave's perfect for the 4th of July? Well, in my opinion, nothing signifies our independence like the Famous Dave's All-American BBQ Feast. It encompasses the American principles like community building, gathering of friends, sharing with others, and because usually 4 (or more) friends chip in, it is a very economically savvy choice. We Famous Dave's fans will not stand for the tyranny of fast food or low quality barbecue! We will not allow the vegans to dictate what we can and can not eat! We will boost our own United State economy by eating meat and corn and Drunken Apples grown right here in the USA!(By the way, have you noticed that the chant "USA! USA!! USA!! Also works with FAMOUS DAVE'S!! FAMOUS DAVE'S!! FAMOUS DAVE'S!! Coincidence, or did Dave Anderson, the ultimate American, plan it that way?)

Besides, what better Tea Party can there be than a Sweet Tea Party?

Woo-Hoo!

Well, I was fortunate enough to win the past week's challenge! I had fun with that one.

This week's challenge is

"What makes Famous Dave’s all-American barbeque the perfect way to celebrate our country this 4th of July season?"

Good luck everyone!

Week 5 Challenge Submissions

Ok so there's no way I can narrow it down to just one love song so here are my selections:

1) I would dedicate The Beatles' "All You Need is Love" to Famous Dave's. Not only because it is a great song about love of all people, and world peace, but I'm sure if I could sit down with Paul McCartney at Famous Dave's, and order a Feast for Two he would turn from his Vegan ways. I feel that would be a great accomplishment and he would be a welcome addition to the Famous Dave's family.

2) I would dedicate Elvis Presley's "Burning Love" for a number of reasons. The first reason is when I eat at Famous Dave's I often find myself singing "It's just a hunka hunka beef brisket". The second reason is I would love to have had the opportunity to have dinner at FD's with The King and talk about BBQ.

3) Lastly I would dedicate The Platters' "Only You". I mean I think it's the perfect song for Famous Dave's. Only Famous Dave's can make the world seem right. Only Famous Dave's can thrill me like it does. And it's a song by the group The Platters. I think they should change their name to The Upside-Down Garbage Can Lids.

Week 5 Challenge

This week's challenge is "If you could dedicate one love song to Famous Dave’s, what would it be, and why?"

Good luck guys!

Weekly Challenge #4-Lyrics by...

Here's my submission for this week's challenge which was to write a song about the Not'cho Ordinary Nachos. I have less than zero talent musically so there will be no YouTube video of me singing this...ever. But you can pop in Queen's Greatest Hits and turn on Bohemian Rhapsody, then sing along with my amended Nacho lyrics.

Not’cho Rhapsody

Is this the real life-
Is this just fantasy-
Caught in the nachos-
No escaping from all the meat-
Open your eyes
Look up to the skies and breathe-
I’m just so hungry, I need no sympathy-
Because I just want some Nachos,
With pulled pork and jalapeños,
Anyway the smoke blows, it just makes me very hungry,
Hungry

Mama, just ordered food,
I asked for the Nachos,
Not’Cho Ordinary ones,
Mama, lunch had just begun,
But now I don’t know if I want Brisket-
Mama ooo,
Didn’t mean to choose just one-
If I’m not back at Famous Dave’s tomorrow-
Have the Beef, have the Beef Brisket on the Nachos-

So great, my lunch has come,
Sends shivers down my spine-
Tummys happy all the time,
Nachos for everybody-But Ive got to go-
Gotta leave you all behind but I’ll return-
Mama ooo- (any way the smoke blows)
I dont want to leave,
I sometimes wish I never had to leave at all-

I see a little silhouetto of a man,
Famous Dave, Famous Dave will you make me the Nachos-
Wilbur Beans and Chili-very very exciting me-
Galileo,galileo,
Galileo galileo
Galileo Nachos-magnifico-
But Im just so hungry and nobody feeds me-
Hes just a poor boy from a poor family-
Spare him his life from being Nacho-free-
Nachos come Nachos go-,They’re all mine and Nat’chos-
Give us some! no-,I will not give you some-give them some-
Give us some! I will not give you some-give them some
Give us some! I will not give you some-give them some
Will not give you some-give them some
Will not give you some-give them some
No,no,no,no,no,no,no-
Mama mia,mama mia, I don’t want to give them some-
Besides I already put Devil Spit on for me, for me, for me-
So you think you can starve me, Devil Spit in my eye-
So you think you can feed me and all is alright-
Oh baby-cant feed these to a baby-
Just gotta get back-just gotta get right back to there-

Nachos really matter,
Anyone can see,
Nachos really matter-,nachos really matter to me,

Any way the smoke blows....

Week 4 Challenge

This week's challenge is to write a song about any Famous Dave's menu item! Good luck guys!

EDIT: Sorry the challenge is to write a song about the

Not’cho Ordinary Nachos

Good luck!

We are making news!

Here's a neat article about all of us Famous Fans from Media Post.com. Check it out!

Weekly Challenge #3

This week's challenge is "If you could share a ‘Que for Two with anyone, who would it be? Why?"

I had thought long and hard about it. My first thought would be Jesus. I mean he's got to have some pretty interesting stories huh? Another person I thought of would be any of our former Presidents...again, the stories those guys must have gotta be amazing.

But, after all is said and done, I decided that I would love to share a 'Que for Two with my 8 month old son Zeke. I feel that something like the Legendary 'Que for Two is a tradition that should be passed down from generation to generation. It's sharing dinner time as a family. It's bonding time with a man and his son. Plus he doesn't eat much so that leaves more for me! So I would share my 'Que for Two with Famous Zeke!

Weekly Challenge #2

This week's Famous Dave's Famous Fan challenge is to finish this line: "Famous Dave's is to barbecue as _________ is to ________"

My Twitter feed has been updated over this past week with a number of my ideas but now I wanna step it up a little and I've included these pics! If you can think of better ones, post 'em here or on my Twitter page and you might win this week's challenge!



Good Luck!

Famous Dave's Haiku

This weeks challenge was to write a Haiku about Famous Dave's Que for Two. I entered a few submissions. You can too by responding to this or my Twitter feed or on our message board! Good luck gang!

Famous Dave's Famous Fan Contest

I am taking part in a crazy-fun contest with Famous Dave's. They have hand-picked the 10 biggest Famous Dave's fans on the 'net and we are all competing for the title of Best Famous Fan.

The grand prize is a trip to MN to meet Famous Dave Anderson and free Famous Dave's for a year! This should be fun. Anyway, I have set up a few different ways to follow along and also some chances for you to win something. Each week there will be different challenges and the winning challenge will win a prize from Famous Dave's! How great is that? This week's challenge is to write a haiku about FD's. You can respond here or at any of the other ways of following along listed below.
http://www.myspace.com/famousdavesfans
http://twitter.com/FamousDavesFan
http://famousdavesfans.freeforums.org/

One more thing, you can help both me, and yourself out by joining their P.I.G. club by clicking the link directly below. The P.I.G. club is free to join and you can win some great stuff like free food on your birthday so check it out!
http://www.fishbowl.com/clt/famdvs/lp/join/cp/FamousFans_10.asp

Welcome Famous Dave's Fans

Greetings fellow Famous Dave's Fans!

This is a place to discuss Famous Dave's and all it's glory. Let's kick this off right!

1st order of business is to discuss the new Summer menu items and lowered prices. If you haven't been to FD's lately, get there! My wife and I went with a friend for lunch the other day. We got the Rib Tip apps ($4!!!!) and the smaller portioned Ultimate BBQ burger...quite possibly the greatest burger known to man.

My wife got the new Nachos and said they were amazing. We are very fortunate, everyone at our local Fort Myers Famous Dave's is really great, especially Famous John. He's been our server a number of times and even made my infant son a FAMOUS Zeke pig pin which we keep displayed on his dresser to commemorate Zeke's first trip to Famous Dave's.

Tell me what you think about Famous Dave's. You guys love it as much as I do?